20 ancient tombs unearthed near Three Gorges Reservoir

CHONGQING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Twenty ancient tombs have been discovered near the Three Gorges Reservoir in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, archaeologists said Saturday.

The tombs, which date back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 220), were discovered at the Ma'anshan Tomb Site on the bank of the Yangtze River in Fengdu County, according to the municipal cultural relics and archaeology institute.

Archaeologists have found more than 430 artifacts in the tombs, including pottery, bronze and iron ware.

The toms and artifacts will help archaeologists gain greater insight into local funeral customs, as well as social and economic conditions during the Han Dynasty, the institute said.

The Three Gorges Reservoir is on the upper-middle reaches of the Yangtze, China's longest river.